Chapter II · Chapter 2

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading And so you want me to tell you the story of my life!

the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading My career has been a strange and eventful one, as you yourselves will see if I can interest you sufficiently to listen to the end.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading My career has been a strange and eventful one, as you yourselves will see if I can interest you sufficiently to listen to the end.

a period of 100 years

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

plural of “characteristic” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

determining or having the power to determine an outcome

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading My career has been a strange and eventful one, as you yourselves will see if I can interest you sufficiently to listen to the end.

full of events or incidents

From this reading My career has been a strange and eventful one, as you yourselves will see if I can interest you sufficiently to listen to the end.

apart from; not including

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

plural of “garment” — an article of clothing

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

full of trivial conversation

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading My career has been a strange and eventful one, as you yourselves will see if I can interest you sufficiently to listen to the end.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading My career has been a strange and eventful one, as you yourselves will see if I can interest you sufficiently to listen to the end.

artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading My career has been a strange and eventful one, as you yourselves will see if I can interest you sufficiently to listen to the end.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading THE STORY OF THE OLD LADY OF THREADNEEDLE STREET.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading And so you want me to tell you the story of my life!

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

hear with intention

From this reading My career has been a strange and eventful one, as you yourselves will see if I can interest you sufficiently to listen to the end.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading And so you want me to tell you the story of my life!

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading And so you want me to tell you the story of my life!

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

plural of “note” — a brief written record

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE STORY OF THE OLD LADY OF THREADNEEDLE STREET.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading THE STORY OF THE OLD LADY OF THREADNEEDLE STREET.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading My career has been a strange and eventful one, as you yourselves will see if I can interest you sufficiently to listen to the end.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

To recall to mind.

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

a message that helps you remember something

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

cut with a saw

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading My career has been a strange and eventful one, as you yourselves will see if I can interest you sufficiently to listen to the end.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading And so you want me to tell you the story of my life!

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading THE STORY OF THE OLD LADY OF THREADNEEDLE STREET.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading My career has been a strange and eventful one, as you yourselves will see if I can interest you sufficiently to listen to the end.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading THE STORY OF THE OLD LADY OF THREADNEEDLE STREET.

to a sufficient degree

From this reading My career has been a strange and eventful one, as you yourselves will see if I can interest you sufficiently to listen to the end.

plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

express in words

From this reading And so you want me to tell you the story of my life!

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE STORY OF THE OLD LADY OF THREADNEEDLE STREET.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE STORY OF THE OLD LADY OF THREADNEEDLE STREET.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading And so you want me to tell you the story of my life!

a just detectable amount

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading And so you want me to tell you the story of my life!

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

belonging to which person

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Of course, I was not always known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street; indeed, I can well remember the feeling of annoyance with which I saw _Mr. Punch's_ illustration of me in 1847, as a fat old woman without a trace of beauty, except in my garments, which were made of bank notes.

an established custom

From this reading Telling tales is not quite in my line, but I will do the best I can; and should I become garrulous and tedious, as old ladies are wont sometimes to be, you must recall me by a gentle reminder that you live in the present century, whose characteristics are short, decisive, and by all means amusing.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading And so you want me to tell you the story of my life!

used when the people spoken to are both doing and receiving the action

From this reading My career has been a strange and eventful one, as you yourselves will see if I can interest you sufficiently to listen to the end.